Christopher Johnson calls Adam Gase an ‘innovator’ and the ‘right fit’ for the Jets

January 11, 2019

Jets CEO Christopher Johnson waxed poetic Friday about new Jets head coach Adam Gase after the team officially announced the hire.

Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan chose Gase, who will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, after an exhaustive process that included eight candidates.

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They picked Gase over quality options like former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Baylor head coach Matt Rhule and former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

“At the onset of the interview process, I wanted to hire a head coach who was the right person and the right fit for our organization,” Johnson said in a statement released by the team. “We talked to a number of excellent candidates and it became clear to me that Adam was the person who will help us establish a winning program and a winning culture.”

“Adam is a young, creative mind, but he also has 22 years of coaching experience. He is an innovator whose path saw him succeed at both the college and the NFL levels,” Johnson added. “He has helped a number of different quarterbacks, at various stages of their careers, reach new heights. We think Sam (Darnold) will continue to develop under his tutelage, but we made the decision because of Adam’s vision for the entire football team.”

Gase, who went 23-25 in three seasons in charge with the Dolphins, has the goods to bring the best out of Darnold. Sources confirmed that former Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams is on the short list to be Gase’s new defensive coordinator.

“This was a thorough process and we had the opportunity to speak with some outstanding people,” Maccagnan said in a statement. “Adam is an experienced teacher who has a great passion for the game. His work with quarterbacks has been well-documented, but he is a good communicator who will build an excellent staff. He can’t wait to get started and I’m eager to work with him as well.”

Darnold is all-in with Gase, who has done solid work with quarterbacks in his career.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this, to be honest with you,” Darnold told the News Thursday. “I’m really pumped about this opportunity to be with Coach Gase … with his mind and ability to lead a team. He’s a good dude. The excitement and the passion that he has for the game is very contagious. I think that will rub off on a lot of the guys. … I’m super pumped about this whole thing and couldn’t be more stoked for the opportunity.”

Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams also chimed in Friday.

“I’m so excited about the news of Coach Gase coming to NYC!” Adams tweeted. “Excited to have him lead us back to where we need to be. We got a long way to go, can’t wait to get to work!”